Validity and reliability of Squegg device in measuring isometric handgrip strength.

OBJECTIVE: The quantitative measurement of handgrip strength is important in assessing and charting the progress of patients with neuromuscular diseases. The aim of this research was to determine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability and the validity of the Squegg digital dynamometer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one females and nine male participants with an age range between 18 and 40 years volunteered for the study. Three testers each took three measurements with a Squegg device and a Jamar dynamometer using standardized measurement techniques. Intra- and inter-tester reliability were calculated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). To investigate the relationship between hand measures and isometric handgrip strength, the Pearson correlation coefficient test was used. To determine the agreement between the two devices, a Bland Altman plot was constructed, and the concurrent validity of Squegg was calculated. RESULTS: The intra-rater reliability coefficients for both Jamar and Squegg were greater than 0.99 for all three testers, indicating excellent intra-rater reliability. The inter-rater reliability of Jamar (ICC=0.93) and Squegg (ICC=0.87) was excellent. With an ICC of 0.844 and an r-value of 0.720, Squegg with Jamar demonstrates good validity and statistical significance (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The isometric handgrip strength and hand measures showed a moderate correlation in the study population. The Squegg isometric handgrip dynamometer has good concurrent validity and great intra- and inter-rater reliability in healthy individuals. The validity of Squegg in patients with neuromuscular diseases that affect hand function has to be investigated further.

Effect of ultrasound-enhanced bee venom on selected post inguinal hernioplasty complications: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Bee venom (BV) phonophoresis has been recommended as a non-invasive treatment for a variety of inflammatory conditions and for reducing post-operative pain. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of bee venom phonophoresis around incisions and on selected acupuncture points for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and mobility of the hip following inguinal hernioplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six male patients who had acute pain and decreased mobility of the hip after having an indirect unilateral inguinal hernioplasty with a mesh participated in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups of 33. The bee venom phonophoresis group (Group A) received low-intensity pulsed ultrasound using BV gel, and the control group (Group B) received low-intensity pulsed ultrasound using only plain gel without BV gel. Both groups received the same regular medical care and 5 minutes of therapy each, three times a week, for three weeks postoperative. The visual analogue scale (VAS), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and hip ROM measurements were used to assess the acute pain, inflammation, and ROM pre-application (pre-treatment) and post-3 weeks of treatment (post-treatment) for both groups. RESULTS: The findings have exhibited an extremely significant difference in VAS, CRP, and hip ROM measurements in the BV phonophoresis group compared to that of the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BV delivered by phonophoresis around incisions and on selected acupuncture points has a beneficial effect in the treatment of pain, inflammation, and mobility of the hip following inguinal hernioplasty with mesh.